January 2019 Around Town

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December 28, 2018

Ice Ribbon at Indian Creek Plaza Open to the Public

Residents in Boise can now make a quick trip to Downtown Caldwell to experience the Ice Ribbon at Indian Creek Plaza. The semi-permanent outdoor ice-skating attraction is the first in Idaho and seventh in the United States. Indian Creek Plaza’s ribbon is one-tenth of a mile long and travels around the plaza in a winding circle, culminating in an ice rink, totaling in 9,500 square feet of skateable surface. The Ice Ribbon is open to the public daily through mid-February, weather permitting. Hours vary daily and are available on IndianCreekPlaza.com. Ice-skating passes are free for children under 3 years old, $4.50 for children under 12 years old and $6 for adults. The public is welcome to bring their own ice skates or rent a pair for an additional $4.

Sen. Crapo Recognizes 16 Idahoans for Spirit of Freedom Awards

Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo has announced 16 Idahoans were recognized with the 2018 Spirit of Freedom: Idaho Veterans Service Award. Individuals are nominated by veterans’ organizations for serving our nation and military veterans across Idaho. The award is a small way to recognize and acknowledge the contributions of Idaho’s veterans and volunteers to the wider Idaho veterans’ community. Each recipient received a United States flag that has been flown over the U.S. Capitol building. Local recipients include LeRoy Barker, Ned Barker, Virginia Carmonne, Sharon Clark, Thomas Gase, Robert “Kappy” Kappmeyre, Steve Wheatley, Karl Wheeler and Daniel “Danny” Pugmire.

BSU Grad Selected for IFEC Board

Members of the International Foodservice Editorial Council recently elected Jamie Bowen, marketing manager for the Idaho Potato Commission, to serve on the board of directors at its 62nd annual conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. Jamie will serve a two-year term on the IFEC Board. A native Idahoan and a graduate of Boise State University in business marketing, Jamie has been a tireless promoter of all things Idaho since 2008, particularly the state’s most famous commodity: Idaho potatoes. In addition, she’s been recognized by Produce Business as one of the “Top 40 Under 40” in 2014, an honor bestowed on emerging produce industry leaders.

Fundraiser Nets $50,000 for Idaho STEM Youth Camps

The Idaho STEM Action Center recently helped Dutch Bros and the Boise-area branch of the American Association of University Women raise nearly $50,000 to fund scholarships to youth camps next summer. As part of its Buck 4 Kids giveback day, Dutch Bros and its Love Abounds Foundation donated $1 from each of the 17,989 beverages its Boise, Garden City and Meridian locations sold on National Coffee Day to Reuseum Educational Inc. The Idaho STEM Action Center Foundation matched the Dutch Bros donation 50 cents on the dollar, dedicating $8,994.50 to the effort and bringing the total gift to $26,983.50. Meanwhile, AAUW’s Boise branch and the STEM Action Center gave Girl Scouts of Silver Sage Council $18,183.16 to fund STEM camps, too. The AAUW chapter raised $8,783.16 at an auction in May for scholarships to Girl Scouts of Silver Sage STEM camps, and the STEM Action Center matched and donated $9,400.

Blue Cross of Idaho Donated $20,000 to Hurricane Relief

A $20,000 donation made by Blue Cross of Idaho helped the American Red Cross deliver help and hope to families impacted by Hurricane Florence and Hurricane Michael. Half of that gift helped cover the costs of deploying seven Red Cross volunteers to the Gulf Coast to support those reeling from Hurricane Michael. Red Cross volunteers provided medical, spiritual and mental health care; managed warehouse logistics; and kept families fed and sheltered.

The remaining $10,000 was used to support the deployment of the Red Cross of Greater Idaho’s new emergency response vehicle to South Carolina following Hurricane Florence.

“Giving back is one of the core values of Blue Cross of Idaho, and our donation is a reflection of that belief,” said Dave Jeppesen, executive vice president and chief strategy and innovation officer for Blue Cross of Idaho.

Kristin Swoboda Selected to Lead New Aviation Program

Kristin Swoboda has joined the National Park Service as the new fleet, pilot and unmanned aircraft specialist for the service’s aviation program. Most recently, Kristin worked for the Bureau of Reclamation in Boise as its regional manager. During her time with the bureau, she initiated its involvement with UAS and helped guide it into the successful program it is today. UAS activities include dam inspections, mapping habitat restoration efforts, detecting landslide change projects, documenting public affairs media and monitoring cultural sites. Kristin was instrumental in assisting the development of a department-level UAS policy for the Department of the Interior.